• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Gender Equity at Heart of New California NIL Law

  • The state legislature passed an amendment requiring any deals worth $5,000 or more to be reported to their schools, who will then publicize the information.
  • The goal: to shame companies and NIL collectives into offering more equitable deals to women’s sports athletes.
Apr 13, 2023; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins gymnast Selena Harris performs on beam during the NCAA Women's National Gymnastics Tournament Semifinal at Dickies Arena.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The NCAA isn’t the only entity trying to force the terms of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals to become public.

Last week, the California state legislature passed an amendment to its existing NIL law requiring any deals worth $5,000 or more to be reported to their schools, who will then publicize the information in anonymized data separated by sport and gender. The amendment is currently awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. 

The amendment is part of a larger push for NIL transparency. This summer, the NCAA has begun publicizing anonymized data, and is hoping to implement not only a mandatory reporting structure, but also an enforcement arm to block deals seen as “pay for play.” For the NCAA, the goal is to curb the power of NIL collectives.

That’s not the intention of California’s transparency law, however, which is instead focused on gender equity. Sen. Nancy Skinner, who authored the amendment, hopes the reporting requirements will shame companies and NIL collectives into offering more equitable deals to women’s sports athletes.

While data has shown women’s sports athletes have benefited greatly from NIL, they still aren’t earning the same amount of money as their men’s sports counterparts. 

“There’s an old saying, ‘Sunlight is the best disinfectant,’” Skinner said in a statement. “Hopefully, the transparency measures … will prompt collectives and other NIL entities to do the right thing and boost funding for women athletes. And if they don’t, and college-backed NIL efforts are shown to be shortchanging female athletes and worsening gender inequity, then policymakers will have the information necessary to level the playing field.”

Skinner is arguably one of the most important figures in the history of NIL. She sponsored California’s original NIL law, which was the first in the nation to be passed in 2019. The law set off a chain reaction across the country with state legislatures passing similar laws, eventually forcing the NCAA to allow athletes to profit off their NIL for the first time.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.

MLB’s Rare October Day: Four Playoff Games, Four Possible Clinchers

Four separate clinching opportunities are available during the day.
Maverick Carter, LeBron James
exclusive

New International Basketball League Plans Launch, Without Maverick Carter

The venture plans to launch men’s and women’s leagues next fall.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

In the proposed deal, the Big Ten would spin off assets into a new entity.
October 7, 2025

NIL Hits Week 1: Auburn’s Atlanta Game Marks Next Step in Player..

The teams will play in the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game.
Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.
October 7, 2025

Big Ten Teams Grapple With Long Flights, Time-Zone Hurdles

Coaches across the country are noticing some impact.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.
October 6, 2025

The Improbability of UCLA’s Incredible Upset Win Against Penn State

Before UCLA beat Penn State, donors were deeply unhappy.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Penn State Has a $50 Million James Franklin Problem

Franklin’s team lost to unranked UCLA on Saturday despite being heavy favorites.
October 5, 2025

CFB’s New Parity Era: Penn State, Texas Top-25 Exits Signal Shift

Penn State and Texas fall entirely out of the top-25 rankings.
Cody Campbell
October 4, 2025

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.